12 December 2012
Business Class on Wheels | 2011 Nissan Murano 3.5L V6
Words and photos by Jose Carlo R. Sapera
The first generation Nissan Murano arrived in the Philippines way back in 2006 via grey market importers. Powered by a 350Z-derived 3.5L V6, we thought of it as Nissan's very own sporty and classy crossover SUV -- it surely looked the part. Soon after, Nissan Motors Philippines Inc. (NMPI) got wind of this mighty SUV and began bringing it in themselves. But when it came to its successor, the Murano Z51, the local distribution switched over to Universal Motors Philippines (UMC), Nissan's local distributor of Light Commercial Vehicles. Technically, that shouldn't really change the buying and ownership experience, but we just wanted to get the word out. Now that we got that bit out of the way, we can start talking about the details.
This all-new 2011 Murano is based on Nissan's D-platform which it shares with the Teana. It has somewhat lost the old Murano's boy-racer appeal and now looks a lot more grown-up and sophisticated. Still, its unique futuristic styling makes it stand out from any crowd. So, does it still hold to its promise of being a classy crossover like before?
Published in
SUV
06 November 2012
Jack of All Traits | 2012 Honda CR-V 2.4L EX AT
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
I can still clearly remember when, back in 1996, my dad and I saw the CR-V for the very first time. They were grey-market imports sold by Greenhills Autohaus at their old place along Wilson Street, way before Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) got their hands on them. I was only about 11 years old then, but I fully agreed with my old man that these new things called “crossovers” were just a trend and won't last very long. Not quite car and not quite SUV, they were impractical and thought that no one in the right mind would buy them. Well, I guess we were wrong. And now that the fourth generation all-new CR-V is here, I can't help but think that this is one of, if not the, most versatile car to drive today.
Published in
Crossover
29 October 2012
Operator Special | 2012 Toyota 86 MT
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho
“What the--? That's all?” I couldn't seriously believe what I was experiencing when I first took the wheel of the new Toyota 86. Surely, the hesitation I felt when I hammered it down in second gear with the engine humming at 2,500 rpm could not be right. It felt a tad slow and unresponsive, while that cacophonous hum coming from up front was rather overwhelming.
“Many people who will buy this car are going to be disappointed. It's not that fast.” was the next set of thoughts that emerged from my disbelieving mind. Clearly, a collaboration of the two of the world's most respected automotive brand can't be this. Or can it?
Published in
Sportscar
17 October 2012
An Awesome Ride | 2012 Hyundai i30 Active 1.6L CRDi
Words and photos by Elmer Maniebo
After three worry-free years with our old Kia Cee’d, we’re astounded with the Korean promise of improved quality, unprecedented list of standard equipment, and ground breaking seven-year warranty. And for our upcoming European Road Trip through UK, France, and Spain, the unanimous decision with the family was to take a chance with Kia’s big sister - the giant-slaying and overachieving Hyundai. Ticking all the right options and considering the immediate availability of a unit is our top priority after our abysmal experience with our local Ford dealer.
Upon test-driving the 110 hp 1.6L CRDi i30 for a good 30 minutes, we were left in awe on how far Hyundai raised the bar for its competitors in every aspect. Ride and handling, interior finish, design and practicality, standard equipment, and running cost - nothing came close to the overall value this car can offer.
Published in
Compact
27 September 2012
An American Odyssey | 2012 Honda Odyssey 3.5L V6 AT
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos by Ken Tamayo
Fans of the brand and the car in the Philippines have been clamoring for the Odyssey for decades. Well, it’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. Strangely, this isn’t the Odyssey any of us pictured coming in. Don’t be fooled by the Japanese logo, this one’s an American mini-van through and through. Designed, built, and sold in America. While this American focus has reaped it great sales and accolades in the US, the concept and execution are radically different from the Odyssey’s Asian market competitors. Well, if you can’t have a market segment all to yourself, sometimes it pays to make your own.
Published in
Van & MPV
14 September 2012
Korean Pride | 2012 Kia Rio 1.2 LX MT Sedan
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
The very first media test unit I ever drove was a Kia Rio back in 2006. It was a taxi-spec Kia Rio, in white. The only luxuries were air-conditioning, power-steering, and a radio. It had wind-up windows, hubcaps, and a price-tag not much higher than a Kia Picanto. Despite the low price, not many buyers bit. The spartan interior and lack of toys meant that it was more popular with taxi services than private buyers. And even then, taxi services often went for the 1.5 liter diesel Accent over the 1.4 liter gasoline Rio.
With the new-model roll-over, Kia reintroduces the taxi-spec Rio at the same sub-P600,000 price-point. It's still pretty basic. But it now comes with a 1.2 liter engine, shared with the Hyundai i10. Most people might see this as a disadvantage, but the expected savings in fuel could make it an even more attractive proposition for taxi-operators everywhere.
Published in
Subcompact
04 September 2012
A First Class Ticket on the Tokyo Express | 2010 Toyota Alphard 3.5 V6
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos by Ken Tamayo
Japanese culture is an eclectic mix of Western, traditional, and futuristic influences. Nowhere is this better seen than in its railway system, which ranges from jam-packed urban subway systems, to quaint, picturesque rural lines that allow travelers to savor the sights and foods of Japan in slow-moving comfort. But when asked to consider a “Japanese train,” most people immediately picture the Shinkansen, or the “bullet train”. This land-bound jet-liner is one of the most iconic symbols of Japanese progress from the 20th century.
Perhaps not quite as iconic, but equally pervasive in Japanese culture, is the minivan. While the modern minivan is arguably an American phenomenon, Japan has put its own unique twist on it. Where the US minivan is a fop to the so-called “soccer mom”, the Japanese minivan is an ostentatious status symbol. In a land teeming with diminutive Kei cars and bicycles, it’s the king of the road. And they don’t come much more kingly than the Toyota Alphard. Its reign is so dominant, in fact, that there are more of these vans in Japan than Corollas.
Published in
Van & MPV
14 August 2012
Four Wheeling on High Heaven | 2012 Mazda CX-5 6MT 4x2
Words by Leslie Sy | Photos by Christopher Kho
Two things have become a daily fact of life for many urban dwellers: the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and the weekly rise of fuel prices. The convenience of an SUV makes it the primary choice for many car owners - spacious interior, high ground clearance, and grunty engine. Unfortunately, rising fuel prices have never been good for their wallets. Many have opted to go the path of a small and fuel economic car, while others simply pray for better days. But with the recent launch of the all-new 2012 Mazda CX-5 and its much-anticipated Skyactiv technology, the promise of a fuel-sipping SUV has arrived. But does it deliver?
Published in
Crossover
